Don Nelson, Iowa alum and NBA legend, dies at 86
Don Nelson, a University of Iowa alumnus and one of the most innovative figures in NBA history, died Sunday at his home in Frisco, Texas. He was 86.
Nelson leaves behind a legacy that spans five decades as a player, coach, and general manager. He is second all-time in NBA coaching wins with 1,335, trailing only Gregg Popovich. His career total of 3,451 games played or coached is second only to Hall of Famer Lenny Wilkens.
For Iowa sports fans, Nelson's connection runs deep. He played college basketball for the Hawkeyes before being drafted by the Chicago Zephyrs in 1962. That Midwest upbringing shaped his blue-collar approach to the game.
How did Don Nelson get his start in basketball?
Born in Muskegon, Michigan, and raised in Rock Island, Illinois, Nelson played forward for Iowa from 1960 to 1962. He averaged 10.3 points and 6.8 rebounds per game for the Hawkeyes before embarking on a 14-year NBA playing career.
As a player, Nelson won five championships with the Boston Celtics. His No. 19 jersey hangs in the rafters at TD Garden. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2012.
What made Nelson a coaching pioneer?
Nelson's coaching career nearly never happened. After retiring as a player in 1976, he considered becoming an NBA referee to support his family. He had only about $10,000 in the bank.
Instead, he became head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks just 18 games into the 1976-77 season. He later coached the Golden State Warriors, New York Knicks, and Dallas Mavericks.
Nelson earned three Coach of the Year awards. His teams topped .500 21 times and won 50 or more games in 12 seasons. He popularized the term point forward and pioneered small-ball lineups years before they became league-wide trends.
How did Nelson connect with Iowa values?
Nelson's Midwest roots made him a natural fit in Wisconsin and beyond. He was known for his work ethic and community involvement.
In 1986, after receiving a letter from a struggling Wisconsin farmer, Nelson launched Nellie's Farm Fund. He raised $400,000 by driving a tractor across the state for nine days, pulling a wagon with a giant plastic piggy bank he called Barkley.
That spirit of helping neighbors in need resonates with Iowa's agricultural communities.
What was Nelson's lasting impact on the game?
Nelson coached some of the NBA's greatest players, including Dirk Nowitzki, Steve Nash, Steph Curry, and Chris Mullin. His 2007 Golden State Warriors upset the heavily favored Dallas Mavericks in the first round of the playoffs, one of the biggest upsets in NBA history.
Even in his final public appearance at age 85, Nelson showed his independent streak. At Game 2 of the 2025 NBA Finals in Oklahoma City, he wore Luka Dončić's Jordan Brand shoes to protest the star guard's trade to the Lakers.
Nelson is survived by his wife Joy, son Donnie, and other family members. Donnie Nelson served as general manager of the Dallas Mavericks for many years.
FAQ: Don Nelson's career and legacy
What was Don Nelson's record as an NBA coach?
Nelson finished with 1,335 wins and 1,063 losses in 31 seasons. His teams made the playoffs 18 times.
Did Don Nelson ever win an NBA championship as a coach?
No. Nelson's teams never reached the NBA Finals. His closest run came in 2003 when the Dallas Mavericks lost in the Western Conference Finals to the San Antonio Spurs.
What is Don Nelson's connection to the University of Iowa?
Nelson played college basketball for the Iowa Hawkeyes from 1960 to 1962. He was drafted by the Chicago Zephyrs in the 1962 NBA draft.
Why was Don Nelson known as a mad scientist?
Nelson earned that reputation for unconventional tactics, such as using 7-foot-6 Manute Bol as a three-point shooter, deploying small lineups before they were common, and having players link arms on the wing to pull defenders away from the basket.
Photo: NBA.com